RUMOR: Date disclosed for UFC's potential return to Paris in 2023
The UFC could be set to return to Paris, France, after rumors suggested a September card is in the works.
The MMA organization made its debut in the French capital last September with UFC Fight Night: Gane vs. Tuivasa. Frenchman Ciryl Gane took on fellow heavyweight Tai Tuivasa in a highly entertaining bout that saw 'Bon Gamin' take the victory with a third-round KO.
Former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker also featured in the co-main event, dominating Marvin Vettori to win via unanimous decision.
The night was also deemed a commercial success as over 15,000 fans attended the Accor Arena. The gate for the card was an impressive $3.2 million.
Bonjour French fight fans! Presenting your official #UFCParis poster 🇫🇷 https://t.co/SRoltZe7lR
According to rumors, first shared by Twitter user @phre, the organization had originally been planning to return to Paris in August this year. Now, however, it looks as though fans could see the French capital play host to an event in September once again.
"Per sources, sophomore UFC event in Paris won't be in August as I've first reported, but it's been now scheduled for September 2, I'm told. Not yet 100% confirmed, but most likely this will be the date."
Per sources, sophomore UFC event in Paris won't be in August as I've first reported, but it's been now scheduled for September 2, I'm told.
Not yet 100% confirmed, but most likely this will be the date. https://t.co/D84ixB7nXu
There has been no official word from the UFC yet to confirm a return to Paris, but due to the success of the first event last year, MMA fans may well see France play host to an evening of fights once again.
UFC president Dana White on Jon Jones' potential retirement
Dana White has admitted he wouldn't be surprised to see Jon Jones walk away from MMA after he faces Stipe Miocic later this year.
Jones certified himself as the greatest of all time in the eyes of some fans at UFC 285 earlier this month as he dominated Ciryl Gane to capture the heavyweight title. Following his victory, 'Bones' called out former champ Miocic, who confirmed he's planning on facing Jones in July this year.
In an interview with TMZ Sports, the 53-year-old discussed the potential matchup. According to White, he wouldn't be shocked if Jon Jones called time on his career after successfully defending the title versus Miocic:
"I wouldn't be shocked either if he fights Stipe and then retires and doesn't fight again."
Regarding Jones potentially facing Francis Ngannou in the future, Dana White also added:
"Let me tell you what, I think, a lot of other people feel this way, I think that's exactly the way the fight would've gone if [Ngannou] was in there, too. [Francis] and Ciryl had a five-round war, and if Ciryl doesn't go for that submission, Ciryl probably wins that fight. At the end of the 5th round there."
Check out the interview here: